Future of South Kensington Tube station redevelopment hangs in balance ahead of inquiry

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

An inquiry into the controversial makeover of South Kensington Tube station is set to release its findings this month.

The investigation was launched last year after the joint venture between Transport for London (TfL) and developer Native Land appealed a decision by Kensington and Chelsea council to reject plans to build shops and swanky new apartments above the station.

The plans would see the Thurloe Street Building torn down and refurbished, the construction of a new “Bullnose” building, and a makeover of the retail arcade in Thurloe Street.

TfL and developer Native Land also applied to construct a four-storey building in Pelham Street, consisting of 50 private flats, shops and office space.

Kensington and Chelsea council threw out the proposals in November 2021, despite planners recommending its approval.

The plans had been amended three times and put through six rounds of consultation, but met stiff opposition with a slew of local groups, councillors and the local MP calling for it to be binned.

The planning application received some 4,000 submissions from the community and local groups, which the council said was “a level of public interest not seen in the borough” in the recent past, according to planning documents.

In its November 2021 ruling, the council’s planning committee said the development “would fail to preserve the special architectural and historic interest” of the Grade-II listed South Kensington railway station building and nearby conservation area.

At the time, the chairman of the council’s planning committee, Cllr James Husband, said: “We have given this application detailed consideration and rejected the scheme based on significant concerns about the impact of the architectural design, height and massing of the proposals on the conservation area and listed buildings.”

The council will fight to have its decision to reject the plans upheld. The Department of Levelling Up’s Planning Inspectorate is expected to present its findings tomorrow, and sit for 11 days.

A spokesman for the Native Land and TfL joint venture said: “We are appealing to the Planning Inspectorate because we remain committed to delivering our plans, which represent a once-in-a generation opportunity to revitalise South Kensington, by repairing and enhancing the station buildings and surrounding streets with world class architecture in an important civic city location.

“The development will complete the delivery of much-needed step-free access to the ticket hall, and District and Circle line platforms, together with 50 new homes with 35 per cent affordable housing, offices for small and medium sized enterprises, and shops for small and independent retailers.”

Pictured top: CGI of planned development (Picture: Ing Media, Native Land and TfL)